DC Women Outclass MI Women with Clinical Chase at Vadodara
Delhi Capitals Women produced a composed, all-round performance to defeat Mumbai Indians Women by seven wickets, with six balls to spare, in the 13th match of the Women’s Premier League at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on January 20, 2026. After opting to field first, DC executed their plans smartly, restricted MI to a manageable total of 154/5, and then chased it down with authority, led by a fluent half-century from skipper Jemimah Rodrigues.
MI Women Innings: Sciver-Brunt Stands Tall Amid Early Collapse
Mumbai Indians Women never quite found momentum in their innings, largely due to a disciplined powerplay spell from Delhi Capitals’ bowlers. MI slumped to 23/2 inside the first four overs, losing both Sajeevan Sajana and Hayley Matthews cheaply. The early wickets put pressure on the middle order and forced MI into a rebuilding phase far earlier than they would have liked.
The recovery was orchestrated by Nat Sciver-Brunt, who once again proved her value as MI’s most reliable batter. Her unbeaten 65 off 45 balls, laced with six boundaries and two sixes, was the backbone of the innings. She found an able partner in Harmanpreet Kaur, whose 41 off 33 balls provided the aggression MI desperately needed during the middle overs. Their stand of 78 runs steadied the innings and briefly threatened to push MI towards the 165–170 range.
However, DC struck back at a crucial juncture. Once Harmanpreet fell at 99/3 in the 14th over, Mumbai struggled to accelerate. Shree Charani’s three-wicket burst in the death overs (3/33) ensured MI were kept on a tight leash. Despite a late cameo from Sanskriti Gupta, MI finished on 154/5, a total that felt 10–15 runs short on a good batting surface.
Marizanne Kapp’s opening spell set the tone for DC’s bowling effort. Her figures of 1/8 from four overs, conceding no boundaries, were instrumental in choking MI during the powerplay and shifting momentum decisively in Delhi’s favour.
DC Women Chase: Calm, Class, and Complete Control
Delhi Capitals’ response with the bat was the polar opposite of MI’s start. Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee came out with clear intent, putting MI’s bowlers under pressure straightaway. The duo added 63 runs for the first wicket, with Shafali’s crisp strokeplay complemented perfectly by Lee’s brute power.
Although Shafali departed for a brisk 29, Lizelle Lee continued her onslaught, smashing 46 off just 28 balls at a strike rate exceeding 160. Her dismissal at 84/2 briefly opened a window for MI, but it was firmly shut by the calm presence of Jemimah Rodrigues.
Rodrigues played the innings of a leader, pacing her knock to perfection. Her 51 off 37 balls* ensured DC never lost sight of the target. Supported by Laura Wolvaardt initially and then Marizanne Kapp at the finish, Jemimah rotated strike efficiently and punished loose deliveries, making the chase look far simpler than the numbers suggested.
MI’s bowlers struggled to apply sustained pressure. While Vaishnavi Sharma (1/20) and Amanjot Kaur (1/21) were economical, the lack of wickets in the powerplay and expensive spells from others allowed DC to cruise. The Capitals eventually reached 155/3 in 19 overs, sealing a comfortable victory.
Key Takeaways
- Powerplay Difference: DC scored 57 without loss in the powerplay, while MI managed just 23 and lost two wickets — a decisive contrast.
- Kapp’s All-Round Impact: Her miserly spell upfront and calm presence in the chase underlined her value.
- MI’s Bowling Concerns: Despite a strong total on paper, MI lacked penetration and leaked runs at key moments.
- Captain’s Knock: Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten fifty was a textbook chase under lights, blending caution with calculated aggression.
What This Means for the Table
With this win, Delhi Capitals Women add two valuable points, strengthening their position in the standings and underlining their credentials as a title contender. Mumbai Indians Women, meanwhile, will rue their slow start with the bat and will need sharper execution, particularly in the powerplay, as the tournament progresses.
DC were sharper, smarter, and simply better on the night — a result that reflected the gap in execution rather than just numbers on the scoreboard.
